277: Seeking an audience again

Night fell, and the lights of Juyan City gradually came on. The Martial Arts Plaza, which had been bustling and noisy during the day, was now silent, with only a few Attendants cleaning up the bloodstains and scorch marks on the Competition Ring.

Inside Qin Feng's room at the Yunlai Inn.

“Senior Brother Tao, Senior Sister Leng, how did things go today?” Qin Feng quickly asked upon seeing Tao Yuanyi and Cold Peach Blossom push the door open and enter.

Tao Yuanyi looked a bit tired, but his eyes sparkled with excitement: “Good news! Peach Blossom and I successfully passed the Preliminary Round and entered tomorrow's Final Round.”

Cold Peach Blossom added, “There were fifty-six Contestants today. The Preliminary Round required forging a weapon of at least Profound Rank High Grade within two hours, using the standardized 'Chiyan Iron' as the main material. Yuanyi forged a 'Chiyan Sword,' reaching Earth Rank Low Grade, ranking third in the Preliminary Round.”

“Third?” Qin Feng's eyes lit up. “Senior Brother Tao is amazing!”

Tao Yuanyi humbly waved his hand: “It was just the Preliminary Round. However, based on my observation, there are only about five or six truly skilled opponents. If I perform normally in tomorrow's Final Round, I should have a seventy percent chance of making it into the top three.”

He paused, his expression serious. “However, something quite strange happened at the venue today—Young Master Yan Lie personally attended to watch the competition and paid extra attention to several outstanding Contestants. After the match, his Steward privately approached three of the top five ranked individuals, seemingly trying to recruit them early.”

Qin Feng and Xia Xue exchanged glances. It seemed Yan Lie was indeed actively recruiting manpower.

“How did Senior Brother Tao respond?” Qin Feng asked.

“I said I needed to discuss it with my companions,” Tao Yuanyi replied. “That Steward didn't press the matter, only saying that if we changed our minds, we could contact him anytime before the Final Round.”

Qin Feng pondered for a moment: “We'll discuss this later. The immediate priority is ensuring Senior Brother Tao performs well tomorrow and wins the Champion title. As for Yan Lie's recruitment... we'll play it by ear.”

Meanwhile, deep within the City Lord's Mansion.

In a Quiet Room that was simply furnished yet exuded an extraordinary aura, Yan Chi sat cross-legged on a Cold Jade Bed, her eyes tightly shut and her face pale. She was only wearing a thin white Undergarment, her back exposed and covered in dark red patterns. These patterns slowly writhed like living things, emitting a scorching and violent Qi.

Yan Di stood behind his daughter, pressing his hands against her back, continuously injecting thick, pure Fire Attribute True Essence into Yan Chi's body. That True Essence contained wisps of golden-red Flame Essence, each wisp incredibly precious, representing the Origin power Yan Di had condensed through years of Cultivation.

As the True Essence was injected, the dark red patterns on Yan Chi’s back gradually subsided, and their color changed from dark red to light red. Her tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and her breathing became steady and deep.

Half an hour later, Yan Di performed the End Technique. Fine beads of sweat had seeped onto his temples. He took a towel from the side to wipe the sweat, and looking at his daughter’s slowly opening eyes, his own were filled with heartache and helplessness.

“Chier, I told you to hold back during the competition and not easily go Berserk, why didn't you listen?” Yan Di sighed. “If I hadn't intervened in time today, you might have died from exhaustion.”

Yan Chi moved her still aching arms and stubbornly pursed her lips: “That Flower Without Intent... I really dislike him. Seeing his frivolous appearance just makes me want to kill him.”

“Oh, you...” Yan Di shook his head. “Exactly like your mother, too bloodthirsty. Back then, she was the same way, ready to draw blood at the slightest disagreement, which is why...”

He didn't finish his sentence, but a deep pain flashed in his eyes.

Yan Chi was silent for a moment, then whispered, “Father, Mother... how exactly did she die? You never tell me the details.”

Yan Di's body stiffened slightly, and he avoided his daughter's gaze: “Let bygones be bygones. What you need to do now is focus on recovering and controlling your Bloodline.”

He paused, his tone heavy: “After this incident, I doubt anyone in Juyan City would dare marry you. Those Scions of Aristocratic Families, they flatter you on the surface, but secretly, who isn't afraid of your Berserk temperament? I've thought about it, and perhaps the only option is to send you to the 'Qingxin Daoist Temple' in the Northern Region to temper your character for a few years until you can fully control your Bloodline before discussing marriage.”

“A Daoist Temple?” Yan Chi suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with reluctance. “I won't go! It's full of Old Daoist Nuns who practice asceticism; I'd be bored to death!”

“Then what do you propose?” Yan Di sternly asked. “Today on the Competition Ring, you nearly killed the Young Lord of the Hehuan Sect. Although the Hehuan Sect is an Evil Sect, its influence is considerable, and they will surely seek revenge. I can protect you for a while, but not forever. Going to the Daoist Temple to lie low is for your own good.”

Yan Chi bit her lip, her eyes slightly red. She knew her father was speaking the truth, but the thought of going to that isolated Daoist Temple for years of ascetic Cultivation filled her with intense unwillingness.

Just then, the respectful voice of a Guard came from outside the Quiet Room:

“City Lord, Miss Xia Xue requests an audience. She says someone can help the Third Miss resolve the after-effects of going Berserk.”

Yan Di and Yan Chi were stunned simultaneously.

“Xia Xue? That little girl from the Chiyan Guard?” Yan Di's eyes flashed with contemplation. “She was indeed watching the competition today... let her in.”

A moment later, Xia Xue walked into the Quiet Room and respectfully saluted: “Xia Xue of the Chiyan Guard greets the City Lord and the Third Miss.”

“Dispense with the formalities.” Yan Di stared at her. “You said someone can help Chier resolve the after-effects of going Berserk? Is that true?”

Xia Xue looked serious: “I wouldn't dare deceive the City Lord. That person is an old friend of mine named Qin Feng, a Successor of the Medicine King Valley. He has a companion who possesses a special Wood Spirit Physique, which has a miraculous effect on harmonizing Bloodline and soothing Runaway Energy. After watching the competition today, Qin Feng asked me to relay a message: he is willing to treat the Third Miss.”

“Medicine King Valley?” A sharp light flashed in Yan Di's eyes. “Is that the Medicine King Valley famous in the Northern Region for its Medical Skill and Pill Dao?”

“Precisely.” Xia Xue nodded. “Qin Feng's companion, Miss Xiao Chun, is the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley's Personal Disciple, and her Medical Skill is superb. She cured Dragon Sniper General and many Commanders, and is known as the Little Divine Doctor at the Northern Region Border.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Chi nodded slightly: “I did hear a Guard mention the name of Miss Xiao Chun, the Little Divine Doctor. His elder brother is stationed at the Northern Region Border.”

Yan Di pondered for a moment: “This City Lord has long heard of the Medical Skill of the Medicine King Valley. However... the after-effects of going Berserk are a Bloodline ailment, and no trivial matter. Are they truly confident?”

Xia Xue replied, “Qin Feng said he cannot guarantee one hundred percent, but he has at least a seventy percent chance of alleviating the symptoms and a fifty percent chance of achieving a Complete Cure. Furthermore, they have a request—they hope that once the Third Miss is cured, she can present them with a sun crystal stone as compensation.”

“A sun crystal stone...” Yan Di's gaze was profound. “They certainly know how to pick items. Qin Feng came once before, wanting to exchange something for it, but I drove him out.”

He looked at his daughter: “Chier, what do you think?”

Yan Chi didn't hesitate: “I'm willing to try! It's better than going to the Daoist Temple!”

Yan Di laughed lightly: “You child... fine. Xia Xue, go invite that Qin Feng and Miss Xiao Chun over. This City Lord will speak with them personally.”

“Yes!” A look of joy flashed in Xia Xue's eyes, and she turned and quickly departed.

Watching Xia Xue's retreating figure, a complex expression flashed in Yan Di's eyes.

Medicine King Valley... Qin Feng... loyal and courageous gentleman... Yan Di looked out at the night sky, his fingers lightly tapping on the table surface.

In any case, since there was a chance to cure his daughter, he had to try. As for the sun crystal stone... if the other party could truly resolve the after-effects of going Berserk, what harm was there in giving it?

It was just that the sudden appearance of Qin Feng and his group in Juyan City, coinciding perfectly with the Martial Arts Match for Marriage and the Forging Competition, seemed too coincidental.

A trace of vigilance flashed in Yan Di's eyes.

Perhaps he ought to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of these people.